The Sleep Is A Skill Podcast

Dr. Aric Prather is a Professor and Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Research Program and the Center for Health and Community at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Prather's research focuses on the causes and consequences of insufficient sleep, with an emphasis on how poor sleep affects the immune system. He is also a licensed clinician and treats patients using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia through the UCSF Insomnia Clinic. Dr. Prather's work is regularly showcased in the media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and CNN. He is the author of "The Sleep Prescription: 7 days to Unlocking Your Best Rest" (Penguin Life).

Jonathan Robinson is a former psychotherapist and author of 16 books. He has been a frequent guest on Oprah and CNN, and is well known for his groundbreaking work with MDMA assisted therapy. He has led over 600 MDMA sessions with people over a 40 year period. His books about MDMA include "Ecstasy as Medicine" and "Ecstasy for Couples."

Ashley is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 20 years of expertise in seating, posture, and pressure management. She began her career leading a pediatric seating clinic before bringing her knowledge to the wheelchair manufacturing industry, where she thrived in clinical sales and training, mentoring new therapists in foundational seating principles. Her career has been built on a deep understanding of how the way we sit affects everything from musculoskeletal health to long-term function and comfort. Ashley has spoken at regional and international conferences, guest lectured at universities, and now leads the Ambassador Community at Anthros—an ergonomic seating company rooted in spine science. Known for her high energy, humor, and ability to connect with anyone, Ashley is on a mission to fix the way people sit—and help others feel and function at their best, wherever they are.

Dr. Donald (DC, MS, CSCS) works with high-output leaders and pros who want steady energy, sound sleep, and clear decision-making under pressure. Trained as a scientist and former decathlete, he runs a diagnostics-first process: measure first (labs, sleep architecture, HRV, cognitive speed, recovery), act second (light and rhythm, training, sleep, nutrition, travel), then track the deltas in plain numbers. He blends East + West methodologies - nature’s tools before prescriptions - and aligns each client’s MD, trainer, and nutrition so the plan runs as one roadmap. His practice is referral-led and confidentiality is standard. Current work includes select 1:1 advisories and a small, invite-only cohort for leaders who want a clear, sustainable system for health and performance. As a fruit of his labor, CORE Performance Labs is on the way - an evidence-led program built from his vast experience. If you’d like an early look, follow Dr. Donald on LinkedIn to stay in the loop.

Mark Dini is a decentralized health consultant specializing in quantum and circadian biology, functional medicine, comprehensive blood testing, tissue-specific bioregulator peptides, signaling peptide therapy, and longevity and healthspan optimization. His career is dedicated to advancing holistic and scientific methods to improve health and well-being on a global scale. As a business partner at an innovative health tracker startup in Singapore, Mark is contributing to the development of the world’s first preventive health tracking ring, now in the third stage of seed funding. The initiative aims to revolutionize health monitoring and management by enabling early detection and personalized prevention. In addition, Mark is involved in the development of an AI-driven app in partnership with a longevity clinic in South Africa. This collaboration seeks to enhance the precision of laboratory diagnostics, enabling more accurate analysis and personalized treatment protocols.

Andrew Poles is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and ultra-endurance athlete dedicated to helping visionary founders scale their businesses without burning out. With 20+ years of experience, Andrew has coached over 10,000 leaders from companies like NASA, Dell, Schwab, Epic Games, and Netflix. After leading and turning around multi-million-dollar businesses, he left the corporate world to launch his coaching practice—hitting six figures in six weeks and doubling year over year since. Andrew’s approach blends neuroscience, leadership psychology, and storytelling, helping first-time founders navigate the leap from individual contributor to visionary CEO. As an ultra-endurance athlete, Andrew also understands high performance on a whole different level—training for and completing the grueling Telluride 100 Mountain Bike Race at 10,000 feet elevation. His upcoming book explores what endurance sports teach about leadership, mindset, and breaking past self-imposed limits.